XV. HOW THE RED FERRET CAME TO COSFORD
The old chronicler in his "Gestes du Sieur Nigel" has bewailed hisbroken narrative, which rose from the fact that out of thirty-one yearsof warfare no less than seven were spent by his hero at one time oranother in the recovery from his wounds or from those illnesses whicharose from privation and fatigue. Here at the very threshold of hiscareer, on the eve of a great enterprise, this very fate befell him.
Stretched upon a couch in a low-roofed and ill-furnished chamber, whichlooks down from under the machicolated corner turret upon the innercourt of the Castle of Calais, he lay half-unconscious and impotent,while great deeds were doing under his window. Wounded in three places,and with his head splintered by the sharp pommel of the Ferret's mace,he hovered betwixt life and death, his shattered body drawing himdownward, his youthful spirit plucking him up.
As in some strange dream he was aware of that deed of arms within thecourtyard below. Dimly it came back to his memory afterwards the suddenstartled shout, the crash of metal, the slamming of great gates, theroar of many voices, the clang, clang, clang, as of fifty lusty smithsupon their anvils, and then at last the dwindling of the hubbub, thelow groans and sudden shrill cries to the saints, the measured murmur ofmany voices, the heavy clanking of armored feet.
Sometime in that fell struggle he must have drawn his weakened body asfar as the narrow window, and hanging to the iron bars have looked downon the wild scene beneath him. In the red glare of torches held fromwindows and from roof he saw the rush and swirl of men below, the ruddylight shining back from glowing brass and gleaming steel. As a wildvision it came to him afterward, the beauty and the splendor, the flyinglambrequins, the jeweled crests, the blazonry and richness of surcoatand of shield, where sable and gules, argent and vair, in everypattern of saltire, bend or chevron, glowed beneath him like a drift ofmany-colored blossoms, tossing, sinking, stooping into shadow, springinginto light. There glared the blood-red gules of Chandos, and he sawthe tall figure of his master, a thunderbolt of war, raging in thevan. There too were the three black chevrons on the golden shield whichmarked the noble Manny. That strong swordsman must surely be the royalEdward himself, since only he and the black-armored swift-footed youthat his side were marked by no symbol of heraldry. "Manny! Manny!George for England!" rose the deep-throated bay, and ever the gallantcounter-cry: "A Chargny! A Chargny! Saint Denis for France!" thunderedamid the clash and thudding of the battle.
Such was the vague whirling memory still lingering in Nigel's mind whenat last the mists cleared away from it and he found himself weak butclear on the low couch in the corner turret. Beside him, crushinglavender betwixt his rough fingers and strewing it over floor andsheets, was Aylward the archer. His longbow leaned at the foot of thebed, and his steel cap was balanced on the top of it, while he himself,sitting in his shirt sleeves, fanned off the flies and scattered thefragrant herbs over his helpless master.
"By my hilt!" he cried with a sudden shout, every tooth in his headgleaming with joy, "I thank the Virgin and all the saints for thisblessed sight! I had not dared to go back to Tilford had I lost you.Three weeks have you lain there and babbled like a babe, but now I seein your eyes that you are your own man again."
"I have indeed had some small hurt," said Nigel feebly; "but it is shameand sorrow that I should lie here if there is work for my hands. Whithergo you, archer?"
"To tell the good Sir John that you are mending."
"Nay, bide with me a little longer, Aylward. I can call to mind all thathas passed. There was a bickering of small boats, was there not, and Ichanced upon a most worthy person and exchanged handstrokes with him? Hewas my prisoner, was he not?"
"He was, fair sir."
"And where is he now?"
"Below in the castle."
A smile stole over Nigel's pale face. "I know what I will do with him,"said he.
"I pray you to rest, fair sir," said Aylward anxiously. "The King's ownleech saw you this morning, and he said that if the bandage was tornfrom your head you would surely die."
"Nay, good archer, I will not move. But tell me what befell upon theboat?"
"There is little to tell, fair sir. Had this Ferret not been his ownsquire and taken so long a time to don his harness it is likely thatthey would have had the better of us. He did not reach the battle tillhis comrades were on their backs. Him we took to the Marie Rose, becausehe was your man. The others were of no worth, so we threw them into thesea."
"The quick and the dead?"
"Every man of them."
"It was an evil deed."
Aylward shrugged his shoulders. "I tried to save one boy," said he; "butCock Badding would not have it, and he had Black Simon and the others athis back. 'It is the custom of the Narrow Seas,' said they: 'To-day forthem; to-morrow for us.'--Then they tore him from his hold and cast himscreaming over the side. By my hilt! I have no love for the sea and itscustoms, so I care not if I never set foot on it again when it has onceborne me back to England."
"Nay, there are great happenings upon the sea, and many worthy people tobe found upon ships," said Nigel. "In all parts, if one goes far enoughupon the water, one would find those whom it would be joy to meet. Ifone crosses over the Narrow Sea, as we have done, we come on the Frenchwho are so needful to us; for how else would we win worship? Or ifyou go south, then in time one may hope to come to the land of theunbelievers, where there is fine skirmishing and much honor for him whowill venture his person. Bethink you, archer, how fair a life it mustbe when one can ride forth in search of advancement with some hope offinding many debonair cavaliers upon the same quest, and then if one beoverborne one has died for the faith, and the gates of Heaven are openbefore you. So also the sea to the north is a help to him who seekshonor, for it leads to the country of the Eastlanders and to those partswhere the heathen still dwell who turn their faces from the blessedGospel. There also a man might find some small deeds to do, and bySaint Paul! Aylward, if the French hold the truce and the good Sir Johnpermits us, I would fain go down into those parts. The sea is a goodfriend to the cavalier, for it takes him where he may fulfil his vows."
Aylward shook his head, for his memories were too recent; but he saidnothing, because at this instant the door opened and Chandos entered.With joy in his face he stepped forward to the couch and took Nigel'shand in his. Then he whispered a word in Aylward's ear, who hurried fromthe room.
"Pardieu! this is a good sight," said the knight. "I trust that you willsoon be on your feet again."
"I crave your pardon, my honored lord, that I have been absent from yourside," said Nigel.
"In truth my heart was sore for you, Nigel; for you have missed sucha night as comes seldom in any man's life. All went even as we hadplanned. The postern gate was opened, and a party made their way in; butwe awaited them, and all were taken or slain. But the greater part ofthe French had remained without upon the plain of Nieullet, so wetook horse and went out against them. When we drew near them they weresurprised, but they made good cheer among themselves, calling out toeach other: 'If we fly we lose all. It is better to fight on, in thehopes that the day may be ours.' This was heard by our people in thevan, who cried out to them: 'By Saint George! you speak truth. Evilbefall him who thinks of flying!' So they held their ground like worthypeople for the space of an hour, and there were many there whom it isalways good to meet: Sir Geoffrey himself, and Sir Pepin de Werre, withSir John de Landas, old Ballieul of the Yellow Tooth, and his brotherHector the Leopard. But above all Sir Eustace de Ribeaumont was at greatpains to meet us worthily, and he was at handstrokes with the King for along time. Then, when we had slain or taken them, all the prisoners werebrought to a feast which was ready for them, and the knights of Englandwaited upon them at the table and made good cheer with them. And allthis, Nigel, we owe to you."
The Squire flushed with pleasure at the words. "Nay, most honored lord,it was but a small thing which I have been able to do. But I thank Godand our Lady that I have done some service,
since it has pleased you totake me with you to the wars. Should it chance--"
But the words were cut short upon Nigel's lips, and he lay back withamazed eyes staring from his pallid face. The door of his little chamberhad opened, and who was this, the tall stately man with the noblepresence, the high forehead, the long handsome face, the dark, broodingeyes--who but the noble Edward of England?
"Ha, my little cock of Tilford Bridge, I still bear you in mind," saidhe. "Right glad I was to hear that you had found your wits again, and Itrust that I have not helped to make you take leave of them once more."
Nigel's stare of astonishment had brought a smile to the King's lips.Now the Squire stammered forth some halting words of gratitude at thehonor done to him.
"Nay, not a word," said the King. "But in sooth it is a joy to myheart to see the son of my old comrade Eustace Loring carry himself sobravely. Had this boat got before us with news of our coming, then allour labor had been in vain, and no Frenchman ventured to Calais thatnight. But above all I thank you for that you have delivered into myhands one whom I had vowed to punish in that he has caused us morescathe by fouler means than any living man. Twice have I sworn thatPeter the Red Ferret shall hang, for all his noble blood and coat-armor,if ever he should fall into my hands. Now at last his time has come;but I would not put him to death until you, who had taken him, could bethere to see it done. Nay, thank me not, for I could do no less, seeingthat it is to you that I owe him."
But it was not thanks which Nigel was trying to utter. It was hard toframe his words, and yet they must be said. "Sire," he murmured, "it illbecomes me to cross your royal will--"
The dark Plantagenet wrath gathered upon the King's high brow andgloomed in his fierce deep-set eyes. "By God's dignity! no man has evercrossed it yet and lived unscathed. How now, young sir, what mean suchwords, to which we are little wont? Have a care, for this is no lightthing which you venture."
"Sire," said Nigel, "in all matters in which I am a free man I am everyour faithful liege, but some things there are which may not be done."
"How?" cried the King. "In spite of my will?"
"In spite of your will, sire," said Nigel, sitting up on his couch, withwhite face and blazing eyes.
"By the Virgin!" the angry King thundered, "we are come to a prettypass! You have been held too long at home, young man. The overstabledhorse will kick. The unweathered hawk will fly at check. See to it,Master Chandos! He is thine to break, and I hold you to it that youbreak him. And what is it that Edward of England may not do, MasterLoring?"
Nigel faced the King with a face as grim as his own. "You may not put todeath the Red Ferret."
"Pardieu! And why?"
"Because he is not thine to slay, sire. Because he is mine. Because Ipromised him his life, and it is not for you, King though you be, toconstrain a man of gentle blood to break his plighted word and lose hishonor."
Chandos laid his soothing hand upon his Squire's shoulder. "Excuse him,sire; he is weak from his wounds," said he. "Perhaps we have stayedoverlong, for the leech has ordered repose."
But the angry King was not easily to be appeased. "I am not wont tobe so browbeat," said he hotly. "This is your Squire, Master John. Howcomes it that you can stand there and listen to his pert talk, and sayno word to chide him? Is this how you guide your household? Have you nottaught him that every promise given is subject to the King's consent,and that with him only lie the springs of life and death? If he is sick,you at least are hale. Why stand you there in silence?"
"My liege," said Chandos gravely, "I have served you for over a score ofyears, and have shed my blood through as many wounds in your cause, sothat you should not take my words amiss. But indeed I should feel myselfto be no true man if I did not tell you that my Squire Nigel, thoughperchance he has spoken more bluntly than becomes him, is none the lessright in this matter, and that you are wrong. For bethink you, sire--"
"Enough!" cried the King, more furious than ever. "Like master, likeman, and I might have known why it is that this saucy Squire dares tobandy words with his sovereign lord. He does but give out what he hathtaken in. John, John, you grow overbold. But this I tell you, and youalso, young man, that as God is my help, ere the sun has set this nightthe Red Ferret will hang as a warning to all spies and traitors from thehighest tower of Calais, that every ship upon the Narrow Seas, and everyman for ten miles round may see him as he swings and know how heavy isthe hand of the English King. Do you bear it in mind, lest you also mayfeel its weight!" With a glare like an angry lion he walked from theroom, and the iron-clamped door clanged loudly behind him.
Chandos and Nigel looked ruefully at each other. Then the knight pattedhis Squire upon his bandaged head.
"You have carried yourself right well, Nigel. I could not wish forbetter. Fear not. All will be well."
"My fair and honored lord," cried Nigel, "I am heavy at heart, forindeed I could do no other, and yet I have brought trouble upon you."
"Nay, the clouds will soon pass. If he does indeed slay this Frenchman,you have done all that lay within your power, and your mind may resteasy."
"I pray that it will rest easy in Paradise," said Nigel; "for at thehour that I hear that I am dishonored and my prisoner slain I tear thisbandage from my head and so end all things. I will not live when once myword is broken."
"Nay, fair son, you take this thing too heavily," said Chandos, with agrave face. "When a man has done all he may there remains no dishonor;but the King hath a kind heart for all his hot head, and it may be thatif I see him I will prevail upon him. Bethink you how he swore to hangthe six burghers of this very town, and yet he pardoned them. So keep ahigh heart, fair son, and I will come with good news ere evening."
For three hours, as the sinking sun traced the shadow higher and everhigher upon the chamber wall, Nigel tossed feverishly upon his couch,his ears straining for the footfall of Aylward or of Chandos, bringingnews of the fate of the prisoner. At last the door flew open, and therebefore him stood the one man whom he least expected, and yet would mostgladly have seen. It was the Red Ferret himself, free and joyous.
With swift furtive steps he was across the room and on his knees besidethe couch, kissing the pendent hand. "You have saved me, most noblesir!" he cried. "The gallows was fixed and the rope slung, when the goodLord Chandos told the King that you would die by your own hand if I wereslain. 'Curse this mule-headed Squire!' he cried. 'In God's name let himhave his prisoner, and let him do what he will with him so long as hetroubles me no more!' So here I have come, fair sir, to ask you what Ishall do."
"I pray you to sit beside me and be at your ease," said Nigel. "In a fewwords I will tell you what I would have you do. Your armor I willkeep, that I may have some remembrance of my good fortune in meeting sovaliant a gentleman. We are of a size, and I make little doubt that Ican wear it. Of ransom I would ask a thousand crowns."
"Nay, nay!" cried the Ferret. "It would be a sad thing if a man of myposition was worth less than five thousand."
"A thousand will suffice, fair sir, to pay my charges for the war. Youwill not again play the spy, nor do us harm until the truce is broken."
"That I will swear."
"And lastly there is a journey that you shall make."
The Frenchman's face lengthened. "Where you order I must go," said he;"but I pray you that it is not to the Holy Land."
"Nay," said Nigel; "but it is to a land which is holy to me. You willmake your way back to Southampton."
"I know it well. I helped to burn it down some years ago."
"I rede you to say nothing of that matter when you get there. You willthen journey as though to London until you come to a fair town namedGuildford."
"I have heard of it. The King hath a hunt there."
"The same. You will then ask for a house named Cosford, two leagues fromthe town on the side of a long hill."
"I will bear it in mind."
"At Cosford you will see a good knight named Sir John Buttesthorn, andyou will ask to have sp
eech with his daughter, the Lady Mary."
"I will do so; and what shall I say to the Lady Mary, who lives atCosford on the slope of a long hill two leagues from the fair town ofGuildford?"
"Say only that I sent my greeting, and that Saint Catharine has been myfriend--only that and nothing more. And now leave me, I pray you, for myhead is weary and I would fain have sleep."
Thus it came about that a month later on the eve of the Feast of SaintMatthew, the Lady Mary, as she walked front Cosford gates, met witha strange horseman, richly clad, a serving-man behind him, lookingshrewdly about him with quick blue eyes, which twinkled from a red andfreckled face. At sight of her he doffed his hat and reined his horse.
"This house should be Cosford," said he. "Are you by chance the LadyMary who dwells there?"
The lady bowed her proud dark head.
"Then," said he, "Squire Nigel Loring sends you greeting and tells youthat Saint Catharine has been his friend." Then turning to his servanthe cried: "Heh, Raoul, our task is done! Your master is a free man oncemore. Come, lad, come, the nearest port to France! Hola! Hola! Hola!"And so without a word more the two, master and man, set spurs to theirhorses and galloped like madmen down the long slope of Hindhead, untilas she looked after them they were but two dark dots in the distance,waist-high in the ling and the bracken.
She turned back to the house, a smile upon her face. Nigel had sent hergreeting. A Frenchman had brought it. His bringing it had made him afreeman. And Saint Catherine had been Nigel's friend. It was at hershrine that he had sworn that three deeds should be done ere he shouldset eyes upon her again. In the privacy of her room the Lady Mary sankupon her prie-dieu and poured forth the thanks of her heart to theVirgin that one deed was accomplished; but even as she did so her joywas overcast by the thought of those two others which lay before him.